Monday, May 09, 2005

Uncluttered Faith

UNCLUTTERED FAITH ------- by Max Lucado

Bedtime is a bad time for kids. No child understands the logic of going to bed while there is energy left in the body or hours left in the day. My children were no exception. One night years ago, after many objections and countless groans, the girls were finally in their gowns, in their beds, and on their pillows. I slipped into the room to give them a final kiss. Andrea, the five-year-old was still awake, just barely, but awake. After I kissed her, she lifted her eyelids one final time and said, “I can't wait until I wake up.” Oh, for the attitude of a five-year-old! That simple uncluttered passion for living that can't wait for tomorrow. A philosophy of life that reads, “Play hard, laugh hard, and leave the worries to your father.” A bottomless well of optimism flooded by a perpetual spring of faith. Is it any wonder Jesus said we must have the heart of a child before we can enter the kingdom of heaven? I like the way J. B. Phillips renders Jesus' call to childlikeness: “Jesus called a little child to his side and set him on his feet in the middle of them all. 'Believe me,' he said, 'unless you change your whole outlook and become like little children you will never enter the kingdom of Heaven.' (Matthew 18:2-3)_________________________________ From "And the Angels Were Silent"

Wednesday, May 04, 2005

Thank you!!

Thank you all so much for your prayers for Annie Ruth! She is doing much better and came home from the hospital today. She was even at church tonight, which was a blessing to everyone. She is still recovering, so please continue to remember her and her family in your prayers.

Isn't it just amazing what God can do???

Monday, May 02, 2005

Prayers Needed

Dear friends,

I need your help in praying for a dear friend of mine. Annie Ruth Perry, our church mother, had a heart attack late Saturday night and was hospitalized at Alamance Regional Medical Center in the Critical Care Unit. They discovered two blockages in her arteries. One was in her main artery and was 85-90% blocked. They went in today to put in two stints and later realized they had nicked a major artery while inserting the stints and now she is bleeding internally. Annie Ruth needs your prayers. Annie Ruth's son, DL, who is my pastor, often says we spend more time praying to keep people out of heaven than praying to get lost people into heaven. That is true, and I pray that God's will be done in this situation. But I am claiming healing for Annie Ruth because she is a blessing to me and to so many others. I also pray that God would use this situation to touch the lives of others. "And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose." -Rom 8:28

Please join me in lifting up Annie Ruth and her family in prayer. Thank you.

Until next time,
Be blessed.....

Love,
Stephanie